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Fifteen-year-old Mustafa Hashim made history this week by becoming the first swimmer to represent Somalia at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. This marks a major achievement for a country with limited sports resources but growing dreams in international athletics.
Competing on the World Stage
Mustafa took part in three events during the championships. He finished:
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72nd in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:16.69,
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104th in the 100-meter freestyle at 1:05.01,
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and clocked 31.73 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle.
While he didn’t make it to the finals, his participation alone is a groundbreaking moment for Somalia.
From London to Somalia – A Journey of Passion
Born in London to a Somali mother and a Yemeni-British father, Mustafa began swimming at age 9. He currently trains at the London 2012 Olympic Pool with the Romford Town Swimming Club under coach Alastair Kershaw.
Earlier this year, he competed in the AP Race London International, where he achieved a personal best of 1:14.79 in the 100-meter breaststroke.
Driven by pride in his Somali roots, Mustafa personally contacted the Somali Swimming Federation to request the opportunity to represent the country. The Federation approved his request just two months before the championships, giving him the green light to fulfill his dream.
“I hope that for now, they can focus on the youth getting into swimming,” Mustafa said, pointing out the importance of developing young talent in Somalia.
A Chance to Build Something Bigger
His participation means more than just a personal milestone—it opens doors for Somalia on the global sports stage. Now, Somalia becomes eligible for international development grants to help build swimming facilities. This is especially meaningful for a country that currently does not have a single Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Somalia’s challenges in sports development are deeply rooted. According to the United Nations, more than 7.7 million Somalis needed humanitarian aid in 2022. The country also faces difficulties in healthcare, gender equality, and child development. All these challenges have made it tough for athletes—especially swimmers—to rise through the ranks, even though Somalia has the longest coastline in mainland Africa.
Despite all this, Mustafa remains hopeful and determined.
A New Chapter in Somali Sports
Somali athletes have slowly started making their mark internationally. Ramla Ali became the first Somali woman to box at the Olympics, and Munirah Warsame made history in taekwondo at the 2018 World Junior Championships. Mustafa’s entry into international swimming adds another layer to Somalia’s growing sporting legacy.
“I believe my story can inspire others from underrepresented nations,” Mustafa said. “With the right mindset, athletes from any background can reach the highest level.”
Looking Ahead: Eyes on the Olympics
Mustafa isn’t stopping here. He has already set his sights on future competitions, including:
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2026 Youth Olympic Games in Beijing,
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2027 World Championships in Budapest,
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and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Hopefully, by LA 2028, I can go up against the much older athletes with a fight,” he said. “From this meet, I’ve gained a lot of experience and now I know what I want in the future. I hope to make it to the semifinals in Budapest 2027 in the 100 breaststroke and prove myself as a young athlete in Beijing 2026… It never hurts to dream big!”
Mustafa Hashim’s journey is just beginning, but his bold step into the world of international swimming has already made waves—not just for himself, but for Somalia’s future in sport.